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As player, Aaron helped Baker cool outbursts

As player, Aaron helped Baker cool outbursts

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Dusty Baker

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MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- Reds manager Dusty Baker learned about Nationals rookie Bryce Harper's self-inflicted head injury from his 13-year-old son Darren. Harper, who was 0-for-5 Friday, was bloodied and needed 10 stitches after swinging his bat against a wall in the Washington dugout area. The bat bounced back and hit him above his left eye.

"Sometimes that's good for kids like my son's age to see how not to do things," Baker said. "You can tell them about the repercussions on how not to act, but it's different for them to see it."

In his younger playing years with the Braves, Baker was admittedly prone to outbursts of his own. That was until teammate Hank Aaron stopped him with a hand on his shoulders.

"One time I threw my helmet down in front of Hank Aaron," Baker explained. "He told me, 'I don't want to see you throw that helmet down again.' He said, 'It ain't the helmet's fault. Put that helmet back where it came from, go over there and sit down, and figure out how you are going to get them next time.'"